STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1439

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 40

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 40 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the United States government to establish a national biodiversity strategy.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

Your Committees find that the State is home to a significant number of endemic species and habitats of great ecological, cultural, historical, and scientific value that must be protected for current and future generations. Your Committees recognize that the ongoing biodiversity crisis poses a direct threat to the security, health, and well-being of Hawaii's residents by diminishing critical ecosystem services and increasing the State's vulnerability to invasive species and natural disasters. A national biodiversity security strategy, as urged by this measure, would support the coordination and planning needed to reduce the threat of invasive species and identify the need for additional funding and capacity to manage and protect Hawaii's native species.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 40 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair